Patrick H. O'Brien was born in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on March 15, 1868. He graduated from Northern Indiana Law School in 1891, then began the practice of law in Wisconsin. He moved to Calumet, Michigan in 1899 where he entered private practice and local politics. In 1922, he settled in Detroit where he continued his law and Democratic party activities. He was a candidate for governor in 1932, but was defeated for the nomination; he was, however, elected state attorney general in the fall election. He served one term. In 1937, O'Brien was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Detroit. In 1939, he was elected Wayne county probate judge, serving until his retirement in 1956. He died July 27, 1959.
Michael O'Brien, brother of Patrick H. O'Brien, was a Detroit insurance executive with the American Life Insurance Company.
Gerald K. O'Brien, son of Patrick H. O'Brien, served as deputy attorney general of Michigan (1933-1934), assistant prosecutor for Wayne County, 1934-1940, and later Wayne County prosecutor.
John H. O'Brien, son of Michael O'Brien, was a Detroit journalist, working with the Detroit Times and the Detroit News . During the 1950s, O'Brien was executive director of the Hearst newspaper organization's campaign for national highway improvement.
From the guide to the O’Brien Family (Detroit, Mich.) papers, ca. 1932-1965, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
